Seaspan on BC Ferries' Newbuilding RFP Shortlist

Five shipbuilding companies have been listed to bid on the design and construction of the new BC Ferries ships, but only one Canadian company made the shortlist, as follows:

The company explains that nine pre-qualified shipyards responded to a Request for Pre-Qualification. An RFP has now been issued to invite the following five pre-qualified shipyards to participate further in the procurement process to design and build the three intermediate class vessels:

In the RFP, BC Ferries has stipulated that these three vessels be designed to operate as dual-fuel capable. Specifically, these ships will be able to operate on either Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Marine Diesel Oil (MDO). BC Ferries is pursuing funding under incentive programs to help offset any incremental capital costs associated with the use of LNG.

“We expect to operate these new intermediate class ferries with LNG, which will reduce our fuel costs, and in turn help reduce the upward pressure on fares. In addition, we expect to reduce our environmental footprint with a cleaner fuel source,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering.